38 The picnic

Veronica's lip curled up in a slow smile, "You know what, J? Maybe you can help Zara find a good date too. Now that you have mentioned it, I would like to know who do you find suitable enough for our friend."

Jake looked like a cat that had been cornered. He coughed a little as he tried to get his words out, "Umm..let me think. There aren't many good...options for her."

Veronica pounced on the sentence like a wild cat, "Oh, but you did say you knew someone, right? Pray, please tell us. I am dying to know."

Zara looked at his poor face and tried to take him out of his misery, "V, forget it. I am not going to prom and that's final."

Jake got up hurriedly from the table but Veronica caught at his hand and winked, "If you are running out of options, I have a solid date in mind for Z."

Jake shook his head and tried to wriggle out of Veronica's grip, trying to sheepishly avoid eye contact with both the girls.

Jake replied, "Let me go, V"

Veronica giggled and practically shouted at the top of her voice when he had reached the serving counter, "I am setting Z up with a guy I know. Let me know if you change your mind."

Jake gave her a thumbs-up without turning back and Zara hissed, "What do you think, you are doing, you idiot?"

Veronica booped her best friend's nose, "Taking charge of your non-existent love life, my best friend."

For the next few days, Zara felt very awkward being around Jake. Yes, she had kissed him once, but being in a relationship still made her feel uneasy. She wasn't doubtful about Jake-he was a good guy, she didn't want to offer him what she didn't have herself.

Quickly, she dug out her phone and dialed Ryan's number. As always it went straight to voicemail. She called his number only to listen to his voice, even if it was recorded. The fact that the call still went through meant that he hadn't changed it.

Even Zara didn't know what made her do it, only that she couldn't stop thinking about him, no matter how hard she tried. This was unusual for someone like Zara who had pledged to stay away from boys.

Zara avoided coming face-to-face with Jake partly because she didn't know how to be around him-thanks to her stupid friend and partly because she didn't want herself falling for a guy she had known for a short time. Again.

It was the weekend and for a change, Veronica decided to ditch studying and go somewhere for a small outing. Veronica asked Zara to prepare some sandwiches with extra cheese of course and she got the other stuff.

It was 9 am when Veronica rang the doorbell of Zara's home. Rose opened the door and greeted her with a hug and a cup of coffee.

"This is a great idea, V. I think Zara has been stressing a lot on studies. You should take her out often."

Veronica felt instantly proud, "Yeah, I will ensure that she goes on a hiatus every once in a while."

Zara packed lunch, fruits, sandwiches and apple juice in the picnic basket and hopped on to the seat beside Veronica as she put the ignition on.

Zara adjusted her seat belt and asked, "Where are we going?"

Veronica replied, "It's a quaint place that is a little secluded but not entirely deep into the woods."

Zara sounded miffed, "We won't get attacked by wild animals, right?"

Veronica grunted as the car started on her third try, "Oh well, I don't think so. Unless, you do something really pathetic like snatching their meal from them."

Zara shook her head and took her headphones out. But before she could plug in and listen to songs, Veronica grabbed her phone. "We are going for a picnic together, no electronic items allowed. We will be spending our time with nature."

Veronica steered her car on the asphalt and hit the accelerator as they weaved out of the narrow lanes and soon reached a dirt road. The air was clean and smelled of grass and fresh leaves. Zara took lungfuls of air, she couldn't remember the last time she had gone to a picnic.

"Z, I need you to close your eyes, right now."